Bank of China stated it will begin paying interest on digital renminbi (e‑CNY) wallet balances from January 1, 2026, at rates aligned with current deposit policies. The move fits within the digital currency framework overseen by the People's Bank of China, and similar steps have been taken by other state‑owned banks.

Polymarket raised $2 billion in October 2025, while Kalshi closed $300 million in October and another $1 billion in December. PitchBook measured $55.94 billion in fintech funding for 2025, even as deal count fell 19% to 3,712. Bloomberg also reported Polymarket is pursuing an additional raise at a $12–$15 billion valuation.

On December 31, 2025, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin surfaced a long-form essay arguing that economies of scale are amplifying institutional power. He advocates mandated technology diffusion and adversarial interoperability to restore checks. Ethereum activity reached 2.2 million transactions on December 29, with average fees at 17 cents after recent upgrades.

On December 30, 2025, Uganda's opposition leader Bobi Wine called on his supporters to install the decentralized messaging app Bitchat as the country heads toward general elections scheduled for January 14, 2026. He warned that the government could again shut down internet and social media access, while authorities have also moved to restrict imports of Starlink satellite equipment ahead of the vote.

On December 31, 2025 in Dubai, MEET48 released a joint research report with Messari that details its AI-driven, Web3-native idol fan economy and the role of the IDOL token in on-chain participation. The report describes the platform's multi-layer architecture, the use of the PARO AI large language model to power virtual idols, and token-based voting and burn activity during MEET48's 2025 idol competition. It also reviews past milestones, including the launch of MEET48.ai, on-chain voting on BNB Chain, and the June 11, 2025 listings of IDOL on multiple centralized and decentralized exchanges.

According to CryptoSlam, NFT supply grew to over 1.34 billion in 2025, up 25% from 1 billion in 2024, while sales value dropped 37% to about $5.63 billion and the average sale price declined to $96 from $124. CoinGecko data indicates market capitalization peaked near $17 billion in April 2022 and ended 2025 around $2.4 billion.

In a blog post titled 'Balance of Power' published Tuesday, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warns that scale and automation are eroding checks and balances. He advocates "mandatory diffusion" and "adversarial interoperability", and cites Lido, which holds roughly 24% of staked ETH, as a decentralized example within crypto governance.

The United States, under President Trump, is moving toward a pro‑crypto framework, with a Senate hearing on the Crypto Market Structure Act expected in January 2026 and California's Digital Asset Act slated for July. A potential Fed chair change on May 15 and the stablecoin GENIUS Act deadline on July 18 could shape compliance and liquidity. BTC is $88,413.97, per CoinMarketCap.